What is CRIMEN FALSI?

In the civil law. The crime of falsifying; which might be committed either by writing, as by the forgery of a will or other instrument; by words, as by bearing false witness, or perjury; and by acts, as by counterfeiting or adulterating the public money, dealing with false weights and measures, counterfeiting seals, and other fraudulent and deceitful practices. Dig. 48, 10; Hallifax, Civil Law, b. 3, c. 12, nn. 50-50. In Scotch law. It has been defined: “A fraudulent imitation or suppression of truth, to the prejudice of another.” Ersk. Inst 4, 4, 00. At common law. Any crime which may injuriously affect the administration of justice, by the introduction of falsehood and fraud. 1 Greenl. Ev.